JetBlue, Spirit Wrap Court Push for Merger Before Judge Decides
- Airlines defend $3.8 billion deal as antitrust trial nears end
- DOJ opposes merger low-cost carriers say will help travelers
Spirit and JetBlue planes at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US.
Photographer: Eva Marie Uzcategui/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
JetBlue Airways Corp. and Spirit Airlines Inc. are wrapping up testimony at an antitrust trial over their proposed $3.8 billion merger, a deal US regulators want to block as part of a crack down on industry consolidation.
Over more than a week, the airlines presented evidence from experts and executives to support their claim that combining the low-cost carriers would allow them to better compete with major airlines and provide better service for customers. Closing arguments for both sides are slated for Tuesday in Boston.